Melatonin has no effect on the growth, morphology or cell cycle of human breast cancer (MCF-7), cervical cancer (HeLa), osteosarcoma (MG-63) or lymphoblastoid (TK6) cells.
Melatonin was previously shown to inhibit proliferation of MCF-7 human breast cancer cells. In this study the effect of melatonin on MCF-7 cells was further examined, while human cervical carcinoma (HeLa), osteosarcoma (MG-63) and lymphoblastoid (TK6) cells were tested for the first time. Haemocytometer counts, DNA content, flow cytometry and indirect immunofluorescence for nucleolar proteins, actin and beta-tubulin showed no differences in the growth, cell cycle or morphology between melatonin-exposed and control cells. The direct antiproliferative effect of melatonin thus seems to be confined to a melatonin-responsive subclone of MCF-7 cells and not applicable to the majority of cancer cells.
Panzer
A
A
Department of Physiology, University of Pretoria, South Africa. apanzer@medic.up.ac.za
Lottering
M L
ML
Bianchi
P
P
Glencross
D K
DK
Stark
J H
JH
Seegers
J C
JC
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D002453:Cell Cycle / Q000187:drug effects; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm / Q000032:analysis; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006367:HeLa Cells; D006801:Humans; D008550:Melatonin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012516:Osteosarcoma / Q000473:pathology; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm; D008550:Melatonin